Bid to boost charity cash

Shoppers could make donations to charity every time they pay for items by bank card or use a cashpoint under government plans unveiled today to boost giving to good causes.

People could also be prompted to give money when they fill in tax returns or apply for passports, driving licences and other state services.

The initiatives were among a range of measures set out in a consultation paper which ministers hope will make charitable giving - of money and time - a "social norm".

Ministers said there was evidence of a "latent demand to give" that could be tapped into using new technologies such as mobile phones and social networking.